Former police chief named zoning inspector

City Council to consider confirming mayor’s choice

Former Kirtland Police Chief Wayne Baumgart has come out of retirement — this time for a new role.

Mayor Doug Davidson recently appointed Baumgart interim zoning inspector for the city, which he served as chief 17 years. He retired in 2017.

However, the appointment is yet to be finalized. City Council on Sept. 4 will consider approving him in the position.

“Retired Chief Baumgart has detailed knowledge of the city, the police department, the workings of the law department, and will work with (zoning secretary) Denise Roelle to become highly educated on zoning-specific issues,” Davidson said in an Aug. 16 letter to Council and the Planning & Zoning Commission. “I strongly believe that Wayne was the strongest candidate who applied. It is my sincere hope that after serving the city in the Interim role, that Council will see the pragmatism and value of the selection and that after a suitable trial period, he would be considered for confirmation in that role by Council.”

The leg islation calls for Baumgart to work as needed up to 15 hours per week and be paid $20 per an hour.

The agreement represents a significant savings over what the position had been paying, the mayor noted.

The role hasn’t had a permanent employee for more than a couple of weeks since Carm Catania retired Feb. 28.

He was both service director and zoning inspector.

The mayor last year attempted to hire former councilman and Planning & Zoning Commission member Timothy K. Powell as a part-time zoning inspector at a cost of $23,000 per year.

Council reduced the pay offered in the contract to $13,000 and then failed to achieve the supermajority needed to confirm the appointment.

City Council in April had agreed to hire Kirtland resident and civil engineer David P. DiCillo as a full-time service director and zoning inspector.

However, DiCillo soon after returned to his job in the private sector.

The mayor then divided the zoning inspector duties between the city engineer (plan reviews) and police Chief Lance Nosse (zoning complaints).

“The need is clear for ongoing enforcement and resolution of issues in the city, and the additional burden to the police department of handling the lower level issues needed resolved,” Davidson said.

Baumgart, of Painesville, said he has enjoyed retirement, but thought he would also like being part of the staff team again.

“There are still good people here and that’s why I came back,” he said.

Council President Kevin Potter spoke highly of Baumgart and said he was looking forward to discussion of his appointment at the meeting.

“Our goal is always to put the right people in the right positions to serve the citizens of Kirtland,” he said.

The service administrator role is being filled on an interim basis as well, by Service Department crew leader Duane Martz, appointed by the mayor in June.

“It is my intention that after a period of time performing in the role, Duane will be appointed and approved by Council and the word ‘interim’ removed from his title,” Davidson said.

“I think the fact that there have not been concerns expressed by Council on his appointment is noteworthy.”

NEWS-HERALD FILE Then-Kirtland Police Chief Wayne C. Baumgart is greeted by enthusiastic students at Kirtland Elementary School in 2014. The retired chief has been named interim zoning inspector for the city.